U.S. patent number 4,328,804 [Application Number 06/094,657] was granted by the patent office on 1982-05-11 for hygienic tampon and tampon applicator.
Invention is credited to Kazuo Shimatani.
United States Patent |
4,328,804 |
Shimatani |
May 11, 1982 |
Hygienic tampon and tampon applicator
Abstract
A hygienic tampon and a tampon applicator. The tampon comprises
a rope-shaped absorbent material coiled in parallel whirls and
compressed into a bullet form and a withdrawal string attached to
an end of the absorbent material. Because of the coiled structure,
the tampon expands to all directions upon absorption of menstrual
fluid to fully fill in the body cavity thereby preventing leakage.
The expanded tampon can easily be withdrawn as the coiled tampon
body is uncoiled when the withdrawl string is pulled. The tampon
applicator comprises an outer tube for accomodation of a tampon
therein and an inner tube telescopically engageable with the outer
tube and operable to push the tampon out of the forward end of the
outer tube and it is characterized in that a cap of water soluble
material is detachably mounted on the forward end of the outer tube
to cover the forward end and the head of the tampon. The water
soluble cap assures smooth insertion of the tampon without
pain.
Inventors: |
Shimatani; Kazuo (Kamisoyagi,
Yamato-shi, Kanagawa-ken, JP) |
Family
ID: |
26485278 |
Appl.
No.: |
06/094,657 |
Filed: |
November 15, 1979 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
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Nov 16, 1978 [JP] |
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53/158016[U] |
Dec 30, 1978 [JP] |
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53/179198[U] |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
604/372;
28/118 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F
13/2062 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61F
13/20 (20060101); A61F 013/20 () |
Field of
Search: |
;128/285,270,263
;28/118 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Rosenbaum; C. Fred
Attorney, Agent or Firm: McGlew and Tuttle
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A hygienic tampon comprising:
a rope-shaped absorbent material having a length of about 10 to
12.3 cm, a diameter of about 1.2 to 3 cm and an uncompressed volume
of about 15 to 30 cm.sup.3 ;
the rope-shaped material being initially loosely coiled to form a
single coil having unconnected parallel spaced turns and being
thereafter compressed into the form of a shank having a rounded
head end, with a withdrawal string attached to an opposite end of
the rope-shaped absorbent material;
said shank being about 4.4 to 5.0 cm long, 1.2 to 2.5 cm in
diameter and having a compressed volume of about 5 to 10 cm.sup.3
;
said shank expanding upon absorbing liquid and freely uncoiling to
said uncompressed volume.
2. A hygienic tampon as claimed in claim 1 wherein an elastic
synthetic resin having a sponge structure is incorporated in the
absorbent material.
3. A hygienic tampon as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the
withdrawal string is adjustable in its length.
4. A tampon and applicator comprising:
an outer tube for accommodation of a hygienic tampon therein;
an inner tube telescopically engageable with the outer tube and
operable to push the hygienic tampon out of the forward end of the
outer tube into a vagina; and
a rounded cap made of a water soluble material acceptable for
insertion into the vagina, detachably mounted on the forward end of
the outer tube to cover the forward end of the outer tube, and to
cover a rounded head of the tampon;
the tampon comprising an initially rope-shaped absorbent material
having a length of about 10 to 12.3 cm, a diameter of about 1.2 to
3 cm and an uncompressed volume of about 15 to 30 cm.sup.3 ; the
rope-shaped material being initially loosely coiled to form a
single coil having unconnected parallel spaced turns and being
thereafter compressed into the form of a shank having a rounded
head end, with a withdrawal string attached to an opposite end of
the rope-shaped absorbent material; said shank being about 4.4 to
5.0 cm long, 1.2 to 2.5 cm in diameter and having a compressed
volume of about 5 to 10 cm.sup.3 ; said shank forming the tampon
with rounded disposed in said outer tube and expanding upon
absorbing liquid in the vagina and freely uncoiling to uncompressed
volume.
5. A tampon applicator as claimed in claim 4 wherein the cap is
semispherical in shape.
6. A method of forming a hygienic tampon comprising:
providing a rope-shaped member of absorbent material having a
length of about 10 to 12.3 cm, a diameter of about 1.2 to 3 cm and
a volume of about 15 cm.sup.3 to 30 cm.sup.3 ;
loosely coiling the rope-shaped member without tension into a
single helix having a plurality of unconnected spaced turns;
and
compressing the coiled rope-shaped member into a shape having a
cylindrical shank and a rounded head which is from 4.4 to 5 cm
long, 1.2 to 2.5 cm in diameter and 5 to 10 cm.sup.3 in volume;
said coiled rope-shaped member adapted to absorb liquid and expand
and uncoil to its uncompressed volume of about 15 to 30 cm.sup.3.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a hygenic tampon and a tampon
applicator.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Various types of tampons have been proposed such as a pancake type,
a bellow type or a rolled type. The pancake type tampon is made of
a compressed flat material and its expansion rate is limited.
Accordingly, it lacks in full absorption of menstrual fluid and is
likely to lead to a leakage of the overflowing fluid. The bellow
type tampon is made of a strip material folded and compressed in a
zigzag manner and it is capable of expansion in the longitudinal
direction upon absorption of menstrual fluid and thus has an
increased absorption capacity. However, it does not expand
sufficiently toward the vagina walls and accordingly it lacks the
capacity for full absorption of fluid. The rolled type tampon is
made of a flat material rolled and compressed to the form of a
tampon and it is capable of expansion against the vagina walls upon
absorption of fluid. However, it lacks a sufficient expansion in
the longitudinal direction. Further, as it expands against the
vagina walls, it becomes difficult to remove after use because of
its frictional resistance against the vagina walls. When pulled by
force, it turns around in the vagina and is thus liable to hurt the
vagina walls.
On the other hand, a tube-type tampon applicator is known which
comprises an outer tube for accomodation of a tampon and an inner
tube telescopically engageable with the outer tube and operable to
push the tampon out of the forward end of the outer tube into a
body cavity. One of the problems with the tube-type applicator is
that the forward end of the outer tube is likely to cause pain when
it is inserted in the body cavity for ejection of the tampon. It
has been proposed to overcome this problem by applying a lubricant
to the forward end of the outer tube. However, the lubricant tends
to be absorbed by the tube material whereby some lubricity is lost
while giving the tube an unsanitary appearance. It has also been
proposed to cover the forward end of the outer tube with a closure
or a folded film sleeve which is adapted to be broken or forced
open by the tampon when the tampon is ejected, e.g. as disclosed in
U.S. Pat. No. 3,499,447. However, the manipulation of the
applicator of this type has to be done with due care as the tampon
is pushed against the resistance of the cover for ejection.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is intended to facilitate the use of hygienic
tampons.
It is a primary object of the invention to provide a tampon having
an adequate absorption capacity and which can easily be withdrawn
after use. Thus, according to one aspect of the present invention a
hygienic tampon is provided which comprises a rope-shaped absorbent
material coiled in parallel whirls or turn and compressed into the
form of a bullet and a withdrawal string attached to the rear end
of the bullet form material. The shape of a bullet is used to mean
a cylindrical shank with a rounded head. It will be understood that
because of the coil structure, the tampon of the present invention
expands in all directions upon absorption of menstrual fluid thus
providing an increased absorption capacity and at the same time
completely closing the body cavity whereby the possibility of
leakage of the overflowing fluid is minimized. It will also be
understood that the tampon can easily be withdrawn after use as it
is uncoiled when it is pulled out.
It is another object of the invention to provide a tampon
applicator which facilitates insertion of a tampon into a body
cavity. Thus, according to another aspect of the invention, a
tampon applicator is provided which comprises an outer tube for
accomodation of a tampon and an inner tube telescopically
engageable with the outer tube and operable to push the tampon out
of the forward end of the outer tube into a vagina and which is
characterised in that a cap made of a water soluble material
acceptable for insertion into the body cavity is detachably mounted
on the forward end of the outer tube to cover the forward end and,
when the tampon is pushed into the vagina, to cap the head of the
tampon. It will be understood that the water soluble cap of the
present invention serves to cover the forward end of the applicator
whereby the outer tube can be inserted into the body cavity without
causing pain. It will also be understood that the water soluble cap
also serves as a cap for the head of the tampon, which further
facilitates insertion of the tampon into the vagina.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent
from the following description of a preferred embodiment
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rope-shaped absorbent material to
be coiled and compressed to form a tampon of the present
invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the same absorbent material which
has been coiled but has not yet been compressed.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tampon of the present invention
which has been prepared by compressing the coiled absorbent
material of FIG. 2 into a bullet form.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a tampon applicator of the
invention with a tampon inserted therein and with a cap of a water
soluble material mounted on the forward end thereof.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the water soluble cap of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to FIG. 1, numeral 1 designates a rope-shaped absorbent
material which is made of cotton or other absorbent material such
as paper. Elastic synthetic resins having a sponge structure with a
high expansion rate may be incorporated in the rope-shaped material
to improve its absorbency. The rope-shaped material may be made
from a plurality of slender strips bundled together or spun
together. It may not necessarily be round as illustrated, but may
have an oval or angular cross-section.
Reference numeral 2 is a withdrawal string which is attached to one
of the ends of the rope-shaped material. In order to increase a
tensile strength of the absorbent material, the withdrawal string
may be attached to the side of the rope-shaped absorbent material
along the entire length of the side by stitching. Numeral 3
designates an adjuster for adjusting the length of the string. The
adjuster illustrated is a ring type but it may be any other
type.
FIG. 2 shows the rope-shaped absorbent material 1 in a coiled state
prior to compressing it into a bullet form. The absorbent material
is coiled in parallel turn or whirls. The exact conditions for
making the parallel whirls are determined depending on the nature
of the material used and the operational conditions of the
subsequent compressing step. However, in order to obtain a final
product having an increased absorption effectiveness and which can
easily be withdrawn after use from the vagina, the material should
preferably be coiled mildly without tension in parallel turns with
a little space between the adjacent whirls, and then it should
firmly be compressed into a bullet form.
FIG. 3 shows a tampon of the present invention in a form of a
bullet, which has been prepared by compressing the coiled absorbent
material 1. The forward rounded end 1A of the tampon is made round
for smooth insertion. The shank of the shape is substantially
cylindrical or oval in cross-section.
Sample tampons have been prepared in three sizes i.e. a small size,
a middle size and a large size, and their measurements as inserted
in the applicators are as follows:
______________________________________ Length (cm) Volume
(cm.sup.3) Diameter (cm) ______________________________________
Small size 5.0 5.0 1.2 Middle size 4.4 6.7 1.8 Large size 4.5 10.0
2.5 ______________________________________
Their measurements as withdrawn after full expansion by absorption
are as follows:
______________________________________ Length (cm) Volume
(cm.sup.3) Diameter (cm) ______________________________________
Small size 12.3 15.0 1.2 Middle size 10.0 20.0 2.0 Large size 10.0
30.0 3.0 ______________________________________
It should be noted that the volume increases upon absorption are as
much as three times.
FIG. 4 shows a tampon applicator of the present invention with a
tampon of a bullet form inserted therein. The applicator comprises
an outer tube 5 for accomodation of a tampon therein and an inner
tube 4 telescopically engageable with the outer tube. Both tubes
may be made of paper or the like. The inner tube 4 is operable to
push the rear end 1B of the shank of the tampon with its forward
end 4A for ejection of the tampon out of the forward end 5A of the
outer tube 5. Numeral 6 in FIGS. 4 and 5 designates a cap made of a
water soluble material acceptable for insertion in a vagina, such
as polyethylene glycol or gelatin. The cap is disengageably mounted
on the forward end 5A of the outer tube 5 to cover the forward end.
The cap is also adapted to cap the head of the tampon when the
latter is pushed into the vagina. As shown, the cap is preferably
semispherical for smooth insertion. The cap, which is water
soluble, may be left in the vagina and has no need to be taken
out.
It should be noted that the cap covers not only the forward end of
the outer tube for easy insertion of the latter without pain but
also the head of the tampon for easy insertion of the tampon after
it has been ejected from the forward end of the outer tube. This is
particularly advantageous in that the cap prevents a premature
expansion of the tampon which is otherwise likely to occur when the
tampon absorbs menstrual fluid prematurely before it is inserted to
a proper depth in the vagina.
Now, the manipulation of the applicator will be explained.
The forward end 5A of the outer tube 5 is inserted into a vaginal
canal to a proper depth. Then, while holding the outer tube, the
inner tube 4 is pushed forward thereby to push the tampon forward,
whereupon the cap 6 is detached from the forward end of the outer
tube 5 and the tampon is ejected from the forward end 5A into the
vagina with the cap 6 on its head. The cap 6 is then dissolved in
the menstrual fluid and absorbed by the tampon.
Thus, the tampon applicator of the present invention is so designed
that the forward end 5A of the outer tube 5 is protected by the cap
from direct contact with the vagina walls and the water soluble cap
reduces frictional resistance and facilitates smooth insertion
without pain.
Upon absorption of the menstrual fluid, the absorbent material
expands to all direction because of the coiled structure. Thus, the
body cavity is fully closed by the expanded tampon body whereby
leakage is prevented. The expanded material has springy elastisty
which permits a close contact of the tampon with the vagina walls,
and which allows the user to move freely without the feeling of the
existence of a foreign substance in her vagina. The expanded tampon
body can easily be withdrawn from the vagina after use as the
tampon body is uncoiled into a slender rope-shaped material when
pulled by the withdrawal string 2. As the tampon of the present
invention can easily be withdrawn, it is possible without fear to
insert the tampon deep into the bottom of the vagina. The length of
the withdrawal string is adjustable by the adjusting ring 3. An
elastic material such as a sponge-like synthetic resin may be
incorporated in the absorbent material to increase its elasticity.
A tampon made of such elastic absorbent material has quick
absorbency and can therefore be used conveniently when the
menstrual fluid is extraordinarily abundant.
The water soluble cap ensures smooth insertion of a tampon without
causing pain. Therefore, with the tampon applicator of the present
invention, it is possible to insert a tampon of a larger size which
has a greater absorption capacity and which is therefore suitable
for use when the menstrual fluid is abundant.
It is understood that the invention is not to be construed as
limited to the specific embodiment described above and that
suitable changes, modifications and variations may be made without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in
the appended claims.
* * * * *